Volume 38 Number 4 2012
prospectus We Need Our Members to Do Something For Us By Thomas J. Landry, OD, President
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letter from the President........................1 Register today for CE-NY...................2 Legal & Legislative Corner..................2 A Letter to the NYS Health Benefits Exchange..............................................3 Classified Ads.........................................9 High-Tech Classroom Tips...................... 7 SUNY Names New Associate Dean....8 New Dept. Chair at SUNY..................8 CVC at The Great NYS Fair................9 2012 NYSOA PAC Supporters...........1 6 2011 CVC Contributors.......................1 8 Photos from Optometry’s Meeting......2 0 Photos from Student Bowl...................2 2 Welcome New Members......................2 4 NYSOA Business Partners...................2 4 Contact Information.............................2 4
Prospectus (ISSN 1055-7407) is published by the New York State Optometric Association, Inc., 119 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12210. Postage paid at Albany, New York. Yearly subscriptions $25.00, single copies $5.50. The views and opinions expressed are those of the signed author and in no way should be construed to reflect the opinions or position of the editorial staff of Prospectus, or the New York State Optometric Association, its officers, local affiliate societies, or administrative staff. All submissions are subject to editorial change with regard to clarity or length. Final decision regarding acceptance or rejection of any submission lies with the editor.
When somebody starts a conversation with the phrase “Can I ask you to do something for me?” how do you respond? Do you eagerly wait to hear the favor so you can help? Do you cringe Thomas Landry, OD inside while you silently get ready to make an excuse to get out of it? Usually it would depend on the person asking for the favor. A friend or family member would probably be more likely to get your attention than a casual acquaintance or total stranger. Most of us are more likely to respond favorably to someone we have helped in the past or someone who has helped us. All of us like to help others or I assume we would not have joined the profession of Optometry. It is one of the top reasons that I chose this profession. We do a lot of things for a lot of people on a daily basis and even though we are compensated for many of these actions, we help others whenever we get the chance. For many years, the AOA and the NYSOA have done things for us on a daily basis. They watch out for your rights as an Optometrist by communicating with our legislators and third-party interests. As I have become more involved with organized optometry, I am always impressed with our colleagues that give their time and energy to protecting our profession. However, periodically, the NYSOA has to ask a “favor” of its members. The AOA is currently in the process of updating the technology involved in maintaining its membership database. Part of this process may involve the collection of our
dues. You may be surprised to find out (as I was) that there are some state affiliates that do not forward AOA dues to the AOA in a timely manner. To help ensure this does not lead to a cash flow problem, the House of Delegates voted in the recent Chicago meeting to change the criteria for dropping a member when they are late in paying their dues. Effective next year, members who have not made any payment by the end of the first quarter (March 31st) will be considered late and may be dropped. The responsibility of collecting the late dues will fall onto the affiliates. SO, I am asking my considerate colleagues in New York to please pay your dues in the first quarter. This is not an issue for most of our members but there are some who consistently neglect to pay until well into the end of the year. You would also save your association some costs (mailing, office staff time, etc.) if you paid on time. As a reminder, there are numerous ways to pay, including post-dated checks and credit cards. We are also hoping that the technology upgrades will make it much quicker and simpler to pay in the future. (Paying your dues and contributing to PAC with your cell phone?) We will keep you informed as things change. Any input from you is always welcome on these matters. Oh… and one more favor for me?? Please invite/bring a non-member to your next society meeting. The benefits of being a member continue to grow. We all need to join together to keep our profession strong. Thank you for your support!